Gregg Rosenthal

Post-Season Fantasy Football Guide

Fantasy Playoff Rankings

Playoff fantasy football is about NFL teams rather than just individual players like in the regular season. Pick a lot of players from a wild card team that makes it into the Super Bowl, and you are likely to win your playoff league. Pick a few key players from a number two seed that loses in their first game and you are in trouble.

This is the most wide-open tournament in years. As Aaron Schatz wrote, there are 7-8 teams that could win the title where you wouldn't even call it an upset. My feelings on what teams are positioned well this month (Baltimore, Philadelphia, Carolina) heavily influences my rankings. If you think the Ravens are going to lose in Miami, then Le'Ron McClain obviously isn't that great a pick.

While we don't know who will make it to Tampa, we do know what players are the most talented. Use the player's production, not his team, as the ultimate tiebreaker.

Two of the most talented quarterbacks left, with good first-round matchups, and a solid chance to play multiple games. Quarterbacks are at a premium in playoff leagues because they score the most. Draft two if your rules allow it.

This is where my Ravens bias comes into play. I think they have a good chance to make it all the way to the Super Bowl, which would make Flacco valuable. Rivers is the best fantasy quarterback here by far, but I worry that he'll be one and done. If Philadelphia can win in Minnesota, I love Carolina's second-round matchup against Atlanta or Arizona. The Panthers are a great home team and Jake Delhomme finished fourth in yards-per-attempt. Quarterbacks are at a pr

Pennington and Jackson have brutal first-round matchups. Jim Johnson and Rex Ryan will throw the book at them. Collins could wind up facing the Ravens and Steelers, if Tennessee can get past Baltimore.

First-round redraft talent with the chance to play multiple games. Williams may not be that high in my rankings at the start of next season, but he's the most dominant fantasy force of 2008. Westbrook is versatile enough to hurt the Vikings this week and the Giants after that. Jacobs should be fresh after the bye week. Turner is a touchdown hog with the ability to break it deep. Johnson is as explosive as any back in the league; expect his role to increase during the playoffs.

Starters with question marks or shaky matchups. Adrian Peterson is our number one picks for next season, but he's facing the fourth-ranked rush defense in the league in what could be a one-and-done playoff run. Willie Parker showed some life against the Browns and may be relied upon more heavily with Ben Roethlisberger's noggin foggy. LT2 has run much better the last two weeks, but it came against collapsing competition. Addai and McClain aren't even guaranteed to lead their backfields in touches, but they should get plenty of work.

The best backups and the worst starters. The Miami matchup against Baltimore is daunting for Ronnie Brown and Williams. Edgerrin James appears to have taken over the primary role in Arizona once again. Taylor will get plenty of snaps on passing downs. White and Stewart could vulture carries. Ward is a nice sleeper pick that will pay off if the Giants reach the Super Bowl again. Sproles is playing too well for the Chargers not to use him.

The best of the rest. Hightower's role is diminishing, but could still be used on the goal line. Mewelde Moore is a nice value pick for depth. McGahee looks like the clear backup in Baltimore, while Rice isn't fully healthy.

Playoff fantasy football is about NFL teams rather than just individual players like in the regular season. Pick a lot of players from a wild card team that makes it into the Super Bowl, and you are likely to win your playoff league. Pick a few key players from a number two seed that loses in their first game and you are in trouble.

This is the most wide-open tournament in years. As Aaron Schatz wrote, there are 7-8 teams that could win the title where you wouldn't even call it an upset. My feelings on what teams are positioned well this month (Baltimore, Philadelphia, Carolina) heavily influences my rankings. If you think the Ravens are going to lose in Miami, then Le'Ron McClain obviously isn't that great a pick.

While we don't know who will make it to Tampa, we do know what players are the most talented. Use the player's production, not his team, as the ultimate tiebreaker.

Two of the most talented quarterbacks left, with good first-round matchups, and a solid chance to play multiple games. Quarterbacks are at a premium in playoff leagues because they score the most. Draft two if your rules allow it.

This is where my Ravens bias comes into play. I think they have a good chance to make it all the way to the Super Bowl, which would make Flacco valuable. Rivers is the best fantasy quarterback here by far, but I worry that he'll be one and done. If Philadelphia can win in Minnesota, I love Carolina's second-round matchup against Atlanta or Arizona. The Panthers are a great home team and Jake Delhomme finished fourth in yards-per-attempt. Quarterbacks are at a pr

Pennington and Jackson have brutal first-round matchups. Jim Johnson and Rex Ryan will throw the book at them. Collins could wind up facing the Ravens and Steelers, if Tennessee can get past Baltimore.

First-round redraft talent with the chance to play multiple games. Williams may not be that high in my rankings at the start of next season, but he's the most dominant fantasy force of 2008. Westbrook is versatile enough to hurt the Vikings this week and the Giants after that. Jacobs should be fresh after the bye week. Turner is a touchdown hog with the ability to break it deep. Johnson is as explosive as any back in the league; expect his role to increase during the playoffs.

Starters with question marks or shaky matchups. Adrian Peterson is our number one picks for next season, but he's facing the fourth-ranked rush defense in the league in what could be a one-and-done playoff run. Willie Parker showed some life against the Browns and may be relied upon more heavily with Ben Roethlisberger's noggin foggy. LT2 has run much better the last two weeks, but it came against collapsing competition. Addai and McClain aren't even guaranteed to lead their backfields in touches, but they should get plenty of work.

The best backups and the worst starters. The Miami matchup against Baltimore is daunting for Ronnie Brown and Williams. Edgerrin James appears to have taken over the primary role in Arizona once again. Taylor will get plenty of snaps on passing downs. White and Stewart could vulture carries. Ward is a nice sleeper pick that will pay off if the Giants reach the Super Bowl again. Sproles is playing too well for the Chargers not to use him.

The best of the rest. Hightower's role is diminishing, but could still be used on the goal line. Mewelde Moore is a nice value pick for depth. McGahee looks like the clear backup in Baltimore, while Rice isn't fully healthy.

The cream of the crop. Great wideouts with good-looking matchups. I happen to think Arizona has the best chance of any home team to win this weekend, if only because I trust the other three road teams more than the Falcons. I would not make drafting a receiver a priority compared to running back and quarterback in playoff leagues.

Jackson has emerged as a quality WR2 in fantasy leagues, but the Colts specialize in preventing big plays. Boldin isn't quite himself or he would be ranked higher. Holmes finished a disappointing season with three touchdowns in his last five games. Mason isn't fully healthy, but is the most reliable weapon Joe Flacco has.

Jackson and Curtis are co-number ones at this point. Breaston has produced well late in the season while Anquan Boldin has licked his wounds. Harrison just doesn't seem to have it anymore, so Gonzalez could be a bigger factor in the playoffs. Berrian is reliant on the big play, and I don't trust Tarvaris Jackson whatsoever against a Jim Johnson defense.

Useful depth for your roster. Smith made his name in the playoffs last year and has Eli Manning's trust. Gage is the best of an unpredictable lot in Tennessee. Jenkins is in a great spot opposite Roddy White turned in a surprisingly good season. Bess racks up catches, so he's worth more in PPR leagues. If Derrick Mason isn't fully healthy, Mark Clayton makes for a nice sleeper pick.

Miller was quietly a top-six tight end in the final six weeks of the season. Shiancoe was top-four, and benefited from the change to Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback. Boss is a great red zone target, while Heap showed some life in a busty season down the stretch.